The Jamaat-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan on Wednesday staged a rally against the recently surfaced anti-Islam film.

The protesters started from Bolton Market and tried to reach the US consulate but were prevented from doing so by a heavy contingent of police and Rangers.

The participants of the rally chanted slogans against the US government and demanded that the producer and director of the film should be hanged.

They also demanded that the government should expel the US ambassador in Pakistan and ask the Americans living in the country to leave.

They said the US should tender an apology for the film, which has hurt the feelings of Muslims across the world.

JUI rally on Sep 21

Religious leaders on Wednesday said that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) would take out a protest rally on September 21 and the Jamat-e-Islami (JI) on September 23 in Karachi against the blasphemous film.

Religious parties will announce their next line of action during a joint session to be held in Karachi on September 26 against the anti-Islam film made in the US.

This was announced at a joint press conference held at Baitul Rizwan House of Shah Ahmed Noorani by Owais Noorani.

The conference was organised by JUI Karachi head Qari Usman and JI Karachi chief Birjees Ahmed.

The leaders strongly condemned the hate film and demanded that US Ambassador to Pakistan be expelled.

Regarding the joint rally, it would be decided on September 26.

MQM hails govt decision

The Coordination Committee of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has welcomed the decision of the government to observe ‘Yaum-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH)’ on Friday and declaring it a public holiday as a mark of protest against the sacrilegious movie.

It said that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is considered a great personality throughout the world but there is “an abhorrent conspiracy to denigrate his character”.

The committee said the MQM fully supported the observation of the day to express love and respect for the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

It said that Altaf Hussain was the first to condemn the profane film, and the MQM believed that the religious sentiments of the Muslims had been hurt by the disparaging movie.

It said that the shocking and hateful film had also dealt an irreparable loss to interfaith harmony.

PTI’s rally tomorrow

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced to bring out protest rallies against the anti-Islam film throughout the country on Friday.

This was announced by central leader PTI Javed Hashmi while addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday. He was flanked by General Secretary Dr Arif Alvi and others.

Strongly condemning the film “Innocence of Muslims”, Hashmi criticized the western countries’ governments for not paying heed to such issues that have been inciting the Muslims the world over.

Divulging the protest plan, Dr Alvi said that the PTI supporters and workers would peacefully march towards the US Consulate and submit memorandum for imposing ban on the movie.

Alvi asked the law enforcement agencies not to provoke or incite the political workers by way of creating obstacles on the way of the demo participants since they only want to submit a memorandum to the US Consulate.

Replying to a question as to whether the PTI would demand the government to withdraw diplomatic missions and snap ties with the western countries, he said: “We only want that such sacrilegious incidents must not recur as we want peaceful coexistence and congenial relations with the countries of the world.

To another question regarding Jamaat-e-Islami’s strike call and mourning day in protest against the killing of former town Nazim on Wednesday, he said PTI’s stance was firm and clear that it would support all those political parties which hold peaceful protests and rallies.

Hashmi said that the world has become a global village and everyone must respect the sentiments of others and must uphold the fundamental values of humanity, and called upon the Muslim countries to take a joint stand on this issue.